Description
This resource is for churches and communities of faith seeking to explore and play with the idea of intergenerational worship. Rather than choosing themes that might be considered “intergenerational-friendly” and straying from a typical order of service, Engage Together takes a traditional worship pattern and follows the themes of the Revised Common Lectionary. Thus, whilst it is especially suitable for particular denominations (such as the Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Churches), it can in fact be used by any church.
Engage Together recognises the reality that in many contexts the “first twenty minutes” of a service is the most appropriate place for stretching our intergenerational imagination. To this end, Engage Together provides a variety of ideas that could be taken up by churches seeking to be more intentionally intergenerational in some aspects of their gathered worship life.
The material in this edition of Engage Together, covering the Sundays from Sunday May 28 (Pentecost) to Sunday July 30 2023, complements services originally prepared and distributed by Rev Brian Cole. In most cases you will find that the words and songs suggested by Brian remain unchanged.
What this resource includes is a range of additional suggestions that encourage greater participation by people of all ages and facilitate intentional intergenerational engagement. These ideas are highlighted with “Say”, “Prepare” or “Do”. For most weeks you will find suggestions that relate to a Call to Worship, Song, Prayer of Confession and Bible Reading.
In addition, each service includes a “Take home” idea that encourages ongoing reflection or action. Whilst placed after the Bible Reading, feel free to include it at the point in the service most appropriate for your context.
Engage Together has been compiled by Chris Barnett (formerly Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania), Melissa Neumann (Uniting Church Synod of South Australia) and Emma Parr (formerly Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT) – with original production by Merryn Gray (formerly Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania). Design of the 2020 edition Sarah Hellyer (Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania), Design of the 2023 edition by Uniting Church Assembly.
